D&C 13

Section 13 is short, only one verse, but is pretty loaded as far as background and content goes. The scriptural heading for this section says, “An extract from Joseph Smith’s history recounting the ordination of the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. The ordination was done by the hands of al angel, who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time this higher priesthood would be conferred upon them.” The IM gives background as follows: “Universal apostasy followed the death of the Savior and His Apostles. Over the centuries that followed, man was no longer authorized to act for God. This condition helped to fulfill prophecy: ‘The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, broken the everlasting covenant.’ The coming of John the Baptist in this dispensation, as promised by the Savior, meant that mortal man was once again divinely commissioned to act in behalf of his Creator. Joseph Smith explained the circumstances surrounding the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, which took place along the bank of the Susquehanna River near Harmony, Pennsylvania. Oliver Cowdery, who was with the Prophet on this occasion, was filled with awe and wonder, for it was his first experience with a heavenly messenger. He wrote: ‘On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the vail was parted and the angel of God came down clothes with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the gospel of repentance!- What joy! What wonder! What amazement! While the world was racked and distracted- while millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty, as a general mass, our eyes beheld- our ears heard. As in the ‘blaze of days;’ yes, more- above the glitter of the May Sun beam, which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, ‘I am thy fellow-servant,’ dispelled every fear. We listened- we gazed- we admired! ‘Twas the voice of an angel from glory- ‘twas a message from the Most High! And as we heard we rejoiced, while his love enkindled upon our souls, and we were wrapt in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for doubt? No where; uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk, no more to rise, while fiction and deception had fled forever! But dear brother think, further think for a moment, what joy filled our hearts and with what surprise we must have bowed, (for who would not have bowed the knee for such a blessing?) when we received under his hand the holy priesthood.” OC has a very unique writing style. The significance of the Aaronic priesthood is explained by DJR when he says, “Those who hold this priesthood are authorized to administer in the outward ordinances of the gospel. For instance, deacons can pass the sacrament. Teachers can prepare and pass the sacrament. Priests can do the above plus bless the sacrament and perform baptisms. The Aaronic Priesthood and its associated ordinances prepare us to enjoy the blessings and benefits of the Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances. At the time of this great event, Joseph and Oliver had been working on the translation of the Book of Mormon, in Harmony, Pennsylvania. The Book of Mormon teaches that one must be baptizes in order to be saved. As Joseph and Oliver got to this point in the translating, they became concerned that they, themselves, had not been baptized. We will quote from the Institute of Religion Church History Student Manual, Church History in the Fullness of Times chapter 5, for more about this: ‘Joseph and Oliver were thrilled as such doctrines as the resurrected Savior’s visit to the inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere and his teachings about baptism were unfolded during the translation. As this point their souls were drive to mighty prayer to learn how they could obtain the blessing of baptism. On 15 May 1829, Joseph and Oliver went into the nearby woods along the Susquehanna River to pray.’ Imagine for a moment what a special occasion this would have been for John the Baptist, who ministered during his mortal mission by virtue of the Aaronic Priesthood, who was beheaded by Herod after almost a year in prison, and who was resurrected with the Savior. Imagine how he must have felt, as Joseph and Oliver walked to the banks of the Susquehanna River near Joseph’s home, to pray about baptism, knowing that the time had finally arrived when he could restore the Aaronic Priesthood to the earth. And imagine what feelings must have swelled up in his heart as he actually laid his hands upon their heads and conferred upon Joseph and Oliver this sacred Aaronic Priesthood and instructed them in the mode of proper baptism, so that they could baptize each other. The words used by John are full of meaning and doctrine… You will see that there are many powerful principles and that there is much authority associated with this priesthood.” I always wondered how JS and OC knew to ask for the Aaronic Priesthood to be bestowed upon them, but that wasn’t the case, which makes much more sense. They were asking how they could be baptized and so the Aaronic priesthood had to be restored first, makes sense. I also think that it’s interesting that there is so much power associated with the Aaronic Priesthood, but it’s not taken so very seriously in the Church, well, at least it seems like something that is not that significant. But to hear that the 12 year old boys given the Aaronic Priesthood have the “keys of the ministering of angels,” and to call others to “repentance,” and of “baptism, by immersion for the remission of sins.” That seem to me to be very significant power, and I’d really like to prepare my son to be able to use that authority to bless others and himself. 13:1 – Ministering of Angels - On the topic of “the ministering of angels to bearers of the Aaronic Priesthood,” the IM quotes President Wilford Woodruff as teaching, “I had the administration of angels while holding the office of a priest. I had visions and revelations. I traveled thousands of miles. I baptized men, though I could not confirm them because I had not the authority to do it. I speak of these things to show that a man should not be ashamed of any portion of the priesthood.” Visions and revelations as a priest, even though that’s probably crazy talk to most of the 16 year old boys in some of the wards, it’s incredible to think that there’s much power there that is kind of not utilizing. DJR has a couple of interesting insights, saying, “In the wording used by John the Baptist, in verse 1, above, you can see that repentance and baptism are closely associated with the ministering of angels. We will consider the keys of the ministering of angels and of repentance, with Moroni as our instructor, and then turn to Elder Dallin H. Oaks for more on how these three keys work together for our good. Concerning the ministering of angels, Moroni taught: Moroni 7:29-31 29. And because he hath done thing, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. 30. For behold, they are subject unto him (Christ), to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. 31. And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father (example: Peter, James, and John restoring the Melchizedek Priesthood), which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him.” The angels are subject to Christ, and minister as he commands, “showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind,” angels are to “call men unto repentance,” to declare “the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord.” DJR’s quotes Elder Dallin H. Oaks as teaching, “The scriptures recite numerous instances where an angel appeared personally. Angelic appearances to Zacharias and Mary and to King Benjamin and Nephi, the grandson of Helaman are only a few examples. When I was young, I thought such personal appearances were the only meaning of the ministering of angels. As a young holder of the Aaronic Priesthood, I did not think I would see an angel, and I wondered what such appearances had to do with the Aaronic Priesthood. But the ministering of angels can also be unseen. Angelic messages can be delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind. President John Taylor described ‘the action of the angels, or messengers of God, upon our minds, so that the heart can conceive… revelations from the eternal world. Nephi described three manifestations of the ministering of angels when he reminded his rebellious brothers that 1. The had ‘seen an angel,’ 2. They had ‘heard his voice from time to time,’ and 3. Also that an angel had ‘spoken unto (them) in a still small voice’ though they were ‘past feeling’ and ‘could not feel his words.’ The scriptures contain many other statements that angels are sent to teach the gospel and bring men to Christ. Most angelic communications are felt or heard rather than seen. How does the Aaronic Priesthood hold the key to the ministering of angels? The answer is the same as for the Spirit of the Lord. In general, the blessing of spiritual companionship and communication are only available to those who are clean. As explained earlier, through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for ‘angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.’ So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels.” I loves this description by Elder Oaks, like him, I had also only thought of the ministering of angels as a visual experience, but then I’d heard so many things like that angels were with us constantly, and I thought “not that I saw,” but that’s the point right? I didn’t see the angels but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t there. Still small voice, enlightenment, understanding, impressions, these are the ways that angels can minister to us. And really, that makes sense, because there are many more beings that have passed into the eternal world than are on the earth now, so there are many people who are interested in our salvation that can be working for our benefit. Also an interesting note is when he asked and answered, “How does the Aaronic Priesthood hold the key to the ministering of angels? The answer is the same for the Spirit of the Lord.” This is a valid point when it comes to the discussion of women and the priesthood. If the keys of the ministering of angels are held in the same manner that the companionship of the Holy Ghost, then it comes back to my point that, the prophets have taught that nothing is more powerful than the prayers of a righteous woman, and if the power of the priesthood is contingent on personal righteousness, then maybe we should focus on preparing ourselves to be righteous enough to petition the Lord for his help through prayer, instead of concerning ourselves with priesthood authority, because ultimately, it comes down to personal righteousness. They could ordain everyone in the whole world and the power of the priesthood would still hinge on the righteousness of the individual. So it’s just interesting to me that if holders of the Aaronic Priesthood keep the keys of the ministering of angels in the same manner that the rest of us keep ourselves qualified for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. 13:1 – “This shall never be taken again from the earth” – The IM teaches, ‘We may be sure that the Aaronic Priesthood will never be taken from the earth while mortality endures, for there will always be need for temporal direction and the performance of ordinances pertaining to ‘the preparatory Gospel.’” I was wondering as to the meaning of this phrase when I first heard it, I thought, “will we get to the point where we won’t need the Aaronic Priesthood?” I don’t know about eternally, but it makes sense what the IM says about it being needed for as long as we are in mortality. The IM further asks and answers, “Who are the ‘Sons of Levi?’” Quoting President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, “after the children of Israel came out of Egypt and while they were sojourning in the wilderness, Moses received a commandment from the Lord to take Aaron and his sons and ordain them and consecrate them as priests for the people. At that time the males of the entire tribe of Levi were chosen to be the priests instead of the firstborn of all the tribes, and Aaron and his sons were given the presidency over the Priesthood thus conferred. Since that time it has been known as the Priesthood of Aaron, including the Levitical Priesthood.” The IM further asks, “What is meant by the Sons of Levi offering an offering of Righteousness unto the Lord?” The answer is quoted from the Prophet Joseph Smith, “It is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice (i.e.,) the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in the future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets. The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation… These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the powers of the Melchizedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the Holy Prophets be brought to pass. It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses’ day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued.” The IM further quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, “we are living in the dispensation of the fullness of times into which all things are to be gathered, and all things are to be restored since the beginning. Even this earth is to be restored to the condition which prevailed before Adam’s transgression. Now in the nature of things, the law of sacrifice will have to be restored, or all things which were decreed by the Lord would not be restored. It will be necessary, therefore, for the sons of Levi, who offered the blood sacrifices anciently in Israel, to offer such a sacrifice again to round out and complete this ordinance in this dispensation. Sacrifice by the shedding of blood was instituted in the days of Adam and of necessity will have to be restored. The sacrifice of animals will be done to complete the restoration when the temple spoken of is built; at the beginning of the millennium, or in the restoration, blood sacrifices will be performed long enough to complete the fullness of the restoration in this dispensation. Afterwards sacrifice will be of some other character.” I don’t really understand too much of this, so I’m going to have to think about it some more.